Emoni McLaris

Chapter Two: An Unsurprising Surprise

 We leave Bell's Body Beauty, I with a new perspective and an empty wallet, Ruby with her Happy Ruby Attitude.

I never felt comfortable in my own flesh and skin, always viewed my body as an ugly vessel that takes up too much space. Even now, I'm hyper aware of how much space I physically take up. I always felt that I was too extra, in a bad way.

And I know that the term 'extra' usually means something good, or really cool. Like dressing from the runway for a family lunch. I've since come to accept the word in both its new and old definition as part of who I am.

But just then, looking at myself in the mirror twice, was an eye-opening experience.

The first time, prior to piercing, I only saw such negative things like my solid arms, thick legs. A protruding stomach I've always been ashamed of. I saw the unevenness of my oddly coloured skin, and my peculiar outline. A very awkward shape that doesn't care for the rules of geometry. My shape is that of an hour glass with an extra curve, an extra hour.

And then the second time around, the reflection smiling back at me is a happier me, with a face full of pride. With the right attitude I'm proud of my strong arms, I love my sexy thighs, with which I could crush a man's skull. My little tum is cute, and my skin is a remarkable colour and has a sort of pattern to it; stretch marks are body art that occur naturally. My body is a piece of art, entirely my own.

"So that was wonderful and all, but are you hungry? I'm hungry. Let's go get some food."

".... I'm broke now. I've got like $5 left. Probably not even." I admit.

"Girl, shut up, are you kidding, I'm paying for you, you brave, stupid soul. I'm not gonna stand by your side as you have a bigass needle stuck in your boobs and then refuse to feed you. I'm a good person." That she is. "Maccas?"

"Is there anything else?"

"Not in this town." She states.

"Hey is it just me or does everyone in this town look like dirt?"

"HA!" Ruby squawks. "This whole town is dirt. It is a speck of dirt on the bottom of my high heeled shoe...oh wait I'm not wearing heels today." She realizes with a pout.

Rivertown is a small rural town along the Murray River. Winner of the Most Creative Name Award. There's nothing here. A few cheap shops and eateries. Mostly new farms and little home-based businesses. Almost everyone knows everyone and its horrible. Maybe a week away will do me good, even if I do have to socialise.

As we walk towards McDonald's, Ruby's rich brown eyes are glued to her phone. "Geez, I know your popular but really? Who are you texting anyways?" I intrude.

I lean over to look her phone screen but all I see from this angle is scratches. Ruby hurriedly locks it and stashes it away in her bag, like she's got something to hide.

"Nothing, no one, nothing." She blunders out.

"Yeah, you already said that." I'll leave it alone then.

We continue on in silence until we reach Maccas. Ruby runs ahead and once again holds a door open for me. "Thanks." After we order, two large McChicken Deluxe meals, a chocolate sundae for me and a strawberry one for her, she leads me to the cleanest table in the place. I can't take it anymore.

"I know."

"What?" Playing the whole 'oh, I got caught off-guard' routine.

"My surprise party tonight. They do it every 3 years, like clockwork." My parents love hosting parties, and as I'm an only child they pretty much spoil me all the time. Not that I ask for it. "It's only been a part of my life since forever. And, come on, you know I know."